The caravans of four Traveller families were confiscated yesterday as gardaí moved for the first time to implement controversial legislation to deal with illegal encampments.
Arising from the forced removal and confiscation by gardaí of the caravans yesterday morning at Cloughleigh and Drumbiggle, Ennis, the four caravan owners later appeared at Ennis District Court.
They were charged with trespassing on Ennis Town Council property and preventing the council from using the lands.
Mr Charles Foley, solicitor for the Travellers, told the court his clients were now effectively homeless.
"They have no houses, their caravans are confiscated and they have nowhere to go," he said.
In response, Supt John Kerin said a relative of three of the men has a large amount of private property outside the town of Ennis.
Supt John Kerin told the court the families were asked to move by Sgt Seamus Ruane under the recently passed Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2002, but had refused to do so.
Early yesterday morning, the caravans were forcibly removed to Ennis Garda station, and the four men arrested.
Under the new legislation, individuals may be fined €3,800 or imprisoned for a month.
Yesterday, Supt John Kerin said it was the first time the legislation has been used to remove Travellers. For the men to reclaim the caravans, he said, a minimal charge would apply.
Speaking outside the court, Mrs Nora Mongan, a mother of 10 and wife of one of the accused, said: "This new law is trying to make criminals of our husbands and we are going to fight it. There would be no problem if the local authority provided accommodation for us."
Ennis has been without a serviced permanent halting site since 1997.
The gardaí made their move after an impassioned appeal by local residents at Ennis Town Council's July meeting.
Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the accused on bail for a full hearing on July 30th.
